Top Hat Madness

James Hetherington arrested for wearing a shiny structure

Description: In 1797 on the Strand in London a very strange thing happened - well, strange in this day and age but perhaps not then...

The London haberdasher James Hetherington was wandering along the strand minding his own business I'm sure, when he was accosted and arrested by the law.

But why I hear you gasp...well James was wearing a Top Hat, the first time anyone had done so in England. He was then charged with causing a breach of the peace by 'appearing on the public highway wearing a tall structure of shining lustre and calculated to disturb timid people'!